Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. Attorneys at Law (312) 807-3990 - We handle custody, visitation, child support cases.

Iraq Veteran Wins Custody of Two Surviving Kids After His Son Was Beaten to Death

When children of divorce or separation are being abused in a mother's home and the children are taken by the state, they should be placed with their father ASAP, barring a finding of unfitness. One of the problems with the child welfare system is that this is often not the case.

In Choosing Foster Parents over Fathers (San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/11/07), family law attorney Jeff Leving and I discussed research from the Urban Institute which shows that the child welfare system usually denies fit, loving fathers the opportunity to raise their own children.

In the Gary Smith Jr. case discussed below, Smith's ex-wife left their three kids in the care of her boyfriend while deployed overseas. The boyfriend beat one of the boys to death, yet the system still dragged its feet in granting the father custody of the surviving two children. Leving, who represented Smith in the case, told the Chicago Tribune that child-welfare officials should have moved the surviving children quickly to his client, explaining, "It's sad that he had to hire me and go through these maneuvers to safeguard his other children."

The article is below--congratulations to Leving for his good work in reuniting this father and his children. A news video about the case can be seen here. Smith and Leving are pictured above.

Slain boy's father awarded custody of his 2 other kids
Iraq veteran divorces child's mother, whose boyfriend is suspect
By Michael Higgins
Chicago Tribune, September 7, 2007

The father of a 4-year-old Calumet City boy who was beaten to death in May was granted permanent custody of his two other children under a divorce settlement approved Thursday.

Gary Smith Jr. was serving in the Army in Iraq when he learned that his son Cameron had been killed.

Unbeknownst to him, Smith said, his then-wife, Lavada Smith, had placed the couple's children in the care of her boyfriend, who was later charged with the 4-year-old's murder.

On Thursday, Cook County Circuit Judge Karen Shields approved the settlement, which allows Smith to take Cameron's siblings, ages 7 and 8, to live with him in Georgia.

"I wanted my kids to be safe," Smith said after the hearing. "I want them to be able to go to school without thinking about bad things that happened here."

Lavada Smith is allowed visitation under the settlement. She could not be reached for comment after the hearing.

Shields praised the couple Thursday for reaching a compromise that she said put their children's interests first. "I think you're probably doing the best you can with a really bad situation," Shields said.

Speaking after the hearing, Gary Smith said he still considers his former wife to be a good mother. But he said she made a terrible mistake when she was deployed to Iraq herself and left their children with Donell Parker of Calumet City.

Parker has pleaded not guilty in the boy's death.

Gary Smith's attorney, Jeffery Leving, said after the hearing Thursday that child-welfare officials should have moved the surviving children quickly to his client. "It's sad that he had to hire me and go through these maneuvers to safeguard his other children," Leving said.

Cameron was discovered lifeless in his bed. Calumet City police said the boy endured two days of being punched in the head, stomach, chest and back. He was beaten with a belt as well, police said.

Jeffery Leving - Renowned Attorney to Host Television Show on Thursdays

Jeffery Leving will host “Chicago Counterpoint” on Channel 21 every Thursday from April 3rd 2008 through June 26th, 2008. Topics will include Fathers’ Rights and Responsibilities and other subjects with guest experts.

What others say about Jeffery M. Leving...

“People have come to know Jeffery Leving as a tireless crusader for fathers’ rights. I’ve come to know Jeffery as a kind, compassionate, caring person as well as a friend. Through his many books and lectures, he has helped educate fathers locally and nationally. When you think of fathers’ rights, you think of Jeffery Leving.” - Former New York Giants, Gordon Bell, WGCI

“I’ve come to know Jeffery Leving as a great crusader for fathers’ rights. He is well-respected, well-known across the country. Like myself, he is a champion – a champion for fathers’ rights.” - Former Chicago Bears, Otis Wilson

Jeffery Leving - LIVE ON COURT TV RADIO

THURSDAY JULY 26TH 2007 - 6:15AM – 7:00AM CST - Live on COURT TV RADIO (Sirius Satellite Radio 110) w/ Vinnie Politan’s “Dream Team”.

Jeffery Leving - renowned Attorney to Host Television Show on Tuesdays

Jeffery Leving will host “Chicago Counterpoint” on Channel 21 every Tuesday from July 3rd, 2007 through September 25th, 2007 Topics will include Fathers’ Rights and Responsibilities and other subjects with guest experts.

Jeffery Leving to Lecture at Fathers Support Center in St. Louis, MO.

Jeffery Leving will be the Keynote Speaker at the 60th Graduation for the Fathers Support Center in St. Louis, MO. On August 22nd, 2007. Topic: Fathers’ Rights and Responsibilities.

Jeffery Leving to Guest Lecture at the 2008 – 9th Annual National Fatherhood & Families Conference in Phoenix

Attorney and author Jeffery M. Leving will lecture at the 9th Annual National Fatherhood & Families Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on February 27 - 29, 2008.

Jeffery Leving to Lecture at the 2008 - 10th Annual International Fatherhood Conference at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA

Jeffery M. Leving will lecture at the 10th Annual International Fatherhood Conference held at Morehouse College on June 11 – 13, 2008.

Jeffery Leving to Lecture at the 2008 Philadelphia Fathers Festival.

Jeffery M. Leving will lecture at the 2008 Philadelphia Fathers Festival on June 7th 2008.

Jeffery Leving to Lecture at Law School in Columbus, Ohio

Jeffery Leving will appear at the 3rd Annual Wells Conference on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at Capital University Law School located on 303 East Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio, to help train and educate both aspiring and practicing attorneys.

Famed Father’s Rights Attorney to Appear on WVAZ-FM Chicago

Jeffery M. Leving will appear on WVAZ to discuss Father’s Rights and his new book, “Divorce Wars,” on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 10:00AM CST.

Jeffery Leving to Discuss Black History on NBC-TV Chicago

Jeffery M. Leving will appear on NBC Chicago’s Ch. 5 to discuss black history with Art Norman on February 25, 2007.

Barnes & Noble Bookstore (Chicago) Welcomes Author Jeffery Leving

Jeffery Leving will be signing copies of his new book “Divorce Wars” at Chicago’s DePaul Center Barnes & Noble bookstore at 1 East Jackson Street on February 22, 2007 from 12:30 – 1:30PM.

Jeffery Leving Discusses the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood on WMBD-AM

Jeffery M. Leving will be a guest on WMBD-AM’s “Greg & Dan Morning Show” in Peoria, IL, to promote the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood’s Regional Symposium. The interview will take place on February 23, 2007 at 7:10AM CST.

Bradley University Hosting the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood’s Regional Symposium

The Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood will hold a symposium on Responsible Fatherhood & Policy with Chairman Jeffery M. Leving directing the event. The symposium will take place on February 24, 2007 at Bradley University in Peoria.

Jeffery Leving to Guest Lecture at the 8th Annual National Fatherhood & Families Conference in Phoenix

Attorney and author Jeffery M. Leving will lecture at the 8th Annual National Fatherhood & Families Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 3:15pm.

Borders Bookstore (Chicago) to Host “Divorce Wars” Book Signing With Jeffery Leving

Jeffery Leving will be at Chicago’s 150 North State Street Borders bookstore on March 7, 2007 at 12:30PM to sign copies of his new book “Divorce Wars.”

Jeffery Leving to be Keynote Speaker at Male Involvement Conference

Jeffery M. Leving will be the Keynote Speaker at the Male Involvement Conference (CEDA) on Friday, March 9, 2007, at the Hilton in Oak Lawn, located at 9333 South Cicero Avenue. The topic is Father’s Rights; Responsible Fatherhood: Do it with Passion.

Jeffery Leving to be Keynote Speaker at the Wisconsin Fatherhood Conference

Jeffery M. Leving will be the Keynote Speaker at the Wisconsin Fathers for Children and the Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative’s statewide Fatherhood Conference in Madison Wisconsin on March 16-17, 2007 at the Sheraton Madison Hotel.

Famed Father’s Rights Attorney on WVAZ-FM Chicago

Jeffery M. Leving will appear on WVAZ to discuss Father’s Rights on April 11, 2007.

State-Wide Responsible Fatherhood Symposium

The Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood will hold it’s Annual State-Wide Fatherhood Symposium in cooperation with Congressman Danny K. Davis on June 2, 2007.

Jeffery Leving to Lecture at the 9th Annual International Fatherhood Conference at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA

Jeffery M. Leving will lecture at the 9th Annual International Fatherhood Conference held at Morehouse College on June 13-15, 2007.

A Father’s Day Brunch Will Be Held For Fathers and Their Children Reconnected by Jeffery M. Leving.

Jeffery M. Leving will hold a Father’s Day Brunch for the fathers and children he has reconnected throughout the years on Saturday, June 16, 2007, from 12:00 – 2:00PM.

Chicago’s 2007 Black Men’s Wellness Expo Welcomes Jeffery Leving

Jeffery M. Leving will be a guest lecturer and panelist at this year's Black Men’s Wellness Expo on Saturday June 23, 2007 located at IIT’s Hermann Union Building.